"I don't like his policies, nothing has changed there, but as an
individual he has gone up in my respect and many others."

Peter McDonald, former independent state MP and Mayor of
Manly

"I think men have reacted to it differently [because] there's
that element of being cuckolded. Women don't have the same sympathy
as men. Women have been on the sharp end of his moral
judgment."

Leslie Cannold, ethicist and author, University of
Melbourne

"I think Tony Abbott has handled himself superbly. I just can't
think how anyone can think differently."

Simon Longstaff, executive director, St James Ethics
Centre

"There was only one occasion when the politician seemed to get
the better of the man: at the earliest point, where he linked it,
either deliberately or not, with the abortion debate he had been
participating in."

Graeme Morris, former senior adviser to Prime Minister John
Howard and private political consultant

"The situation shows that the option of adoption with an
unplanned pregnancy is not a simple one and has many emotional
complexities and difficulties."

Cait Calcutt, co-ordinator, Children By Choice pro-abortion
group

"The effect on Daniel was something that was most concerning for
me. Clearly the adoptive parents are the constant in his life and
Tony Abbott emerged very honourably."

Pat Power, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn

"I think it's so sad because of the confusion. It's difficult
for people to get on with their lives with other people knowing.
It's sad that it's been so terribly in your face."

Margaret Green, adopted child, founder of Adoption Mosaic
support group

"When I heard the tape of his then girlfriend Kathy talking
about their relationship and she was saying they were having sex
but he was considering the priesthood, I thought 'Gee, that's got
to be the best pick-up line in the business'. It probably works
better than 'I think I might be gay, can you help me?' "